Later on, they sent her to school at River Retriever Kennels and then went through some more programs to prepare and license her as a therapy dog. “She always had an unusual sense about her. She could tell when someone was experiencing a higher level of emotion, and she knew when to come close and when to move away. That was something that couldn’t be trained,” said Goodman. “I don’t really know how she knew that. Being a therapy dog was just another way that she cared for so many people in her life like she was just made for it. It was just natural. She was really something special.” The first time Honey went to work with Goodman, she just had one client that day. Since it was during COVID-19, the appointment was a telehealth call – though that didn’t faze Honey. “I introduced my client to Honey virtually, and Honey sat right by my side while I conducted the session. That day, she was there more for me than for my client,” said Goodman. “I think she knew I was nervous and really needed her.” Later on, in-person sessions began again – and Honey certainly became the mascot for The Papillion Center. “She is more well-known than any of our staff, board, or our butterfly logo,” said Goodman. “I always whispered to her that she was the most popular dog in town.” Honey attended trainings with Goodman, as well as fundraisers, meetings, sessions, and community events. “She eased the tension in rooms with groups of people and when only one person was present with a therapist,” said Goodman. “She had eyes that just seemed like they could see into a person’s soul, like she just knew when someone needed her.” At The Papillion Center, Honey stayed by Goodman’s side most of the time. That’s the way she was trained. Though she was comfortable moving around the building, sometimes Honey would leave Goodman’s side and go to an entirely different room, just to be with a person who needed her. 58 DECEMBER 2025 | INTHEVUE.COM During therapy sessions, Honey would sit near clients, both adults and children. Sometimes she would stay on the floor, sometimes she would get up on the couch and sit with them. “Sometimes, she would stretch out in the middle of the room and go to sleep,” said Goodman. “Whatever was appropriate for the situation, Honey knew it and behaved accordingly.” During her six years as a therapy dog, Honey touched countless lives and supported many through difficult moments. Goodman recalls a time when a little girl in play therapy became completely dysregulated and overwhelmed. Honey quietly moved closer, offering her presence. The child wrapped her arms around Honey’s neck and cried, eventually calming enough to continue and complete the session. It was Honey’s gentle presence that made the world’s difference. “Another time, a client who was dealing with PTSD was working through some traumatic memories, and periodically would stop, love on Honey, and then could continue his story,” said Goodman. “He had to take ‘Honey breaks’ but eventually saw some strong personal success with Honey’s help.” On several occasions, Honey would be sleeping in the corner of Goodman’s office, and clients would shed just one tear, even without making a sound. Honey would get up immediately and go to the clients, where she would lay her head on their lap. The clients would smile and laugh, rub Honey’s head, and move through the emotions they were feeling with resilience because Honey offered herself as an outlet for them. “She absorbed their emotion somehow, just like magic, almost,” said Goodman.
